The quarterback pool for the 2014 NFL Draft just got significantly thinner.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota announced Tuesday his intentions to return to the Ducks for his redshirt junior season. That leaves one less quarterback available for the Jaguars to choose from in May's draft.

"It is an honor to be a student at the University of Oregon and to have the opportunity to represent our institution on the football field alongside my teammates," Mariota said in a statement released by Oregon. "I look forward to earning my degree next year and to the rest of my career at this great university."

The 6-foot-4, 214-pound Mariota was considered by analysts to be in the mix to be the first quarterback selected in the draft, along with Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater.

Mariota threw for 3,412 yards and 30 touchdowns with four interceptions this season for Oregon, who awaits its bowl destination. Mariota also ran for 582 yards and nine touchdowns.

As a freshman, Mariota threw for 2,677 yards with 32 touchdowns and six picks. He ran for 752 yards and five scores.

Mariota's completion percentage did dip this season, going from 68.5 to 63.1 percent. He also hurt his left knee, but played through the injury.

Mariota's decision hurts the Jaguars, whether they were greatly interested in him or not. General manager Dave Caldwell is expected to draft a quarterback in either the first or second round.

With Mariota out of the mix, the gap between Bridgewater and the rest of the quarterback class could be significant. There are still roughly 10 quarterbacks that could be selected in the first two rounds of the draft, depending on what other underclassmen decide in the coming weeks.

Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. P.J. O'Rourke

1083 points

Grendel53

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 @ 12:32 am

I do not understand all this TB love. He feasts on cupcakes. He had ONE spectacular game v. the Gators and now he's the second coming of T. Brady. Not scanning that.